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Question about remote temperature monitors that work with cell phones.

Q:"What remote monitors does Safe Home Products sell that have bettery back-ups and do not require a land line. I have a Blue Tooth type cell phone I want to use. I need to monitor the temperature of my Florida home while I am up North. Thanks. Will."

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Q: "I need to know if power fails or the temperature or humidity changes in my home in Connecticut in the winter or in our motor home when we travel in the summer. We winter in Florida and take our animals with us. I live in a safe neighborhood so I am not worried about break-ins. What do you suggest?" Thanks. Calvin

Answer: I suggest you purchase the new CM712 TemperatureGuard Self-Contained Remote Monitor. Microtechnologies introduced the CM712 in late summer 2013. This replaces the VM-500-3 and VM-500-3HT units that required a land line. This is an easily set up unit suitable for computer rooms, homes, motorhomes, boats and more. You may choose to purchase two units, one for your permanent home and one for your on-the-go home. For example, if the 120VAC power in your motor home park fails or your air conditioner stops cooling, you'll know if you are shopping, etc.

The initial cost is about $600. Remember you won't have to pay for a land line. You will need a SIM card, available on a monthly basis from Microtechnologies.com, the manufacturer. Or you can get one from ATT, etc. Alerts go via the cell network. The three sensors for temperature, power and humidity are built in. If you want you can add a dry contact door sensor. In an RV park, you probably won't need that. The "tweets" are sent right to your cell phone or computer. An internal battery back-up means alerts continue if power fails.Text Message Alarm Notices Include:

Temperature or humidity goes out of limits

A door is opened (if you have that sensor installed)

Water is detected. (if you have that sensor installed)

When the alarm condition is corrected.

If an alarm condition is not corrected.

Power outage

Low internal or external battery.

Dual power operation:

120vac with its included wall mount power supply. 12vdc source for use in cars, trucks, campers, boats. Requires 12 Adapter Not Included.

SIM Plan Details:

A SIM card plan is required for the CM712 to connect to the cell network. Two options are: purchase a T-Mobile SIM card through TemperatureGuard.com (Curent cost in 2013 $150 per year or $12.50 per month with an automatic renewal). Or purchase a SIM from AT&T™ or from any GSM cell service provider worldwide. No SIM card is included with the TemperatureGuard unit.

CM712 Features:

Quad-band EGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz

Works on the AT&T™and T-Mobile™ cell networks.

Program up to four cell phone numbers to send alarm text messages to.

Program an ID text so if you have more than one CM712 you'll know which one is in alarm.

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Question about advantages of Sensaphone Remote Monitoring Systems over security systems by national or local alarm and security companies.

Q: "We are building a new data center. Our choices are between a national or local alarm and security company with monthly monitoring fees or a Sensaphone system. We want to monitor power, temperature and humidity. We are also concerned about possible water leaks onto the flooring and being able to lower the thermostat in the room if one of the units begins to overheat. Which system do you recommend? Thanks. Bill."

No Monthly Monitoring Fees: you buy the product and programs it to notify directly any employee or employees you choose without the cost of a central service that runs at least several hundred dollars annually.

Innovation: In-house engineering. Three US patents for unique technologies. Constantly working to make products more powerful and easier to use.

Easy to Use: Simple, clear set up and maintenance. You don't have to be an electronics genius! Some products like the IMS series even automatically detect the sensor you've connected and configure it for you. The owners manuals are extensive and clear to follow. Telephone technical support is there, unlimited and toll free.

Made in the USA: Yes! Sensaphone is made in Pennsylvania. All engineering design, manufacturing, servicing, testing and support are here in the USA.

For your data center, Safe Home recommends you choose the IMS-1002 model and then choose from the 9 sensors listed:

The IMS-1002 Model. The Sensaphone IMS-1000 Internet Remote Monitor, IMS-1002 is a web-based single room monitoring device with a voice modem. It will monitor up to 8 external sensors that are connected via Cat-5 cable. If your computer network failed, you will get a phone call or calls via a standard land line. It is fullySimple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) manageable.

If a sensor is disconnected, you will get an alert. Each sensor is continuously monitored by the IMS parent unit. Cat-5 jacks and cables make it easier to connect to remote sensors using existing structured cabling.

The data logging includes a time stamped collection of input values that can be viewed and graphed. Plus you will get a detailed event history of user logins, telephone calles, etc. It is possible to add video integration to have an image sent of the condition that tripped the alarm. This is web-based monitoring with a traditional phone line, too.

You can place the IMS-1000 or IMS-4000 into your server rack. There are no moving parts in the IMS-1000 series units: each is complately standalone with its own internal battery back up.

Please contact us if you have additional questions. Thank you for your questions.

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Question about the Sensaphone IMS-1000 Remote Monitoring System.

Q: "I have a computer room I need to monitor for humidity, power and temperature. There is no land line in that room. Is the IMS-1000 system the best choice? What sensors will I need to add? How does this unit mount? I have computer racks in the room. Thanks. Ed."

Answer: Sensaphone designed the IMS or Infrastructure Monitoring System for situations like yours where there is no land line available. It does require an ethernet network. And you can rack mount this monitor into your computer rack. Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.75" x 14" x 7"

"The system is designed to be a comprehensive method of ensuring 100% up-time of your computer systems. By monitoring all aspects of your computer room, including environmental conditions and network equipment, the system will keep you informed of the status of your infrastructure. Monitored conditions can include temperature levels, humidity levels, line voltage, leak detection, server response, UPS systems, and more. The system allows the computer professional to be notified immediately of any detected problems. Notification can occur via voice telephone call, pager, e-mail, fax or snmp trap. An internal battery backup system insures that the unit will continue to run if main power fails."

Sensaphone does caution: "Caution: The IMS sensors are not TCP/IP devices and therefore should not be connected directly to any wiring infrastructure that is connected to network equipment such as a hub, router, or switch. Sensors use RJ-45 plugs and cables similar to thoseused with Ethernet devices".

Environmental Sensors Needed for Your Computer Room Include:

Sensaphone Temperature Sensor 4810 for IMS-1000,4000 The temperature sensor connects to the IMS-1000 via an RJ-45 cable (e.g. CAT5 cable). The connection from the sensor to the IMS-1000 can utilize your existing network wiring infrastructure. For example, the sensor may be installed in another room or another floor. Connect the sensor to your structured wiring network via an RJ-45 jack. At the other end, connect a patch cable from your structured wiring patch panel directly to the IMS-1000 environment input.

Q: What is a NEMA4X enclosure? Do I need it on a Sensaphone remote monitor for my business? I see it listed on these Sensaphone units that I saw on your website.Thanks. Steve."

Answer: According to Nema.org, "Type 4X Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to hazardous parts; to provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose directed water); that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure."

Sensaphone offers these enclosures on most of their remote monitors because many remote monitors are located in dusty or potentially corrosive industrial settings. Sensaphone monitors can be mounted inside buildings or outside. Those mounted in greenhouses are exposed to high humidity levels and water sprays as plants are watered. So purchase one with a NEMA4X enclosure if your situation requires it.

Choose a Sensaphone remote monitor according to the number of inputs you need and the complexity of your situation. For example the Sensaphone 2000 is a data logging monitor with 8 inputs and can contact up to 32 persons while the Sensaphone 1400 can monitor only 4 sensors for humidity, temperature, etc.

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Question about the Sensaphone Remote Monitoring Systems.

Q: "I need a remote monitor but am confused by what differentiates one model from another. Can you give me a simple explanation? I don't know if I want a 1400, 800, etc. for my green house needs. Thanks. Steve."

Answer: The numbers actually refer to the number of inputs available to you. If you have a small greenhouse set-up, one of the smaller, less expensive basic units would be a good choice. Also consider if you have a cell phone or land line in the building.

Here is some information about the basic units:

Sensaphone Web600 Web-Monitor Alarm6 available zone inputs. A battery back-up unit (not included) plugs into the left side of the unit. Also there is an ethernet connection and a input for the 5V DC power adapter. There are two lights, a power and an alarm light on the top of the unit. A screwdriver is even included.

Solid Door Sensaphone 1800 Remote Monitor Monitor up to 8 conditions, plus power failure and sound level. Notify up to 8 people with custom voice phone calls or text messages. Review alarm history and who acknowledged the alarm event. Control a device automatically, manually, even remotely. Sends a text message and alpha page alarms.

Sensaphone 2800 Wireless Monitoring System lets you use up to four Sensaphone wireless sensors with the 2800. A variety of wireless sensors types are available to choose from, including:Temperature,Humidity,Power Failure,Motion Detector,Water on Floor.Wireless sensors. Two Wireless Interface modules. These allow you to connect to existing equipment or sensors and transmit their status back to the 2800 wirelessly. There is a Dry Contact wireless module and a 4-20mA wireless module. The 4-20mA wireless module even provides battery backed 24 VDC loop power for your transducer. Built-in Power failure, Sound level. Inputs 4 hard wired universal, 4 wirelesses inputs, Outputs 1 relay (manual or automatic control)Notification 8 custom voice phone calls.

There are numerous sensors available for the inputs. There are some larger units available that can take extra slot cards allowing a larger number of sensor inputs.

Please give us more information about your situation and we'll help you choose.